Accommodating box

ABSTRACT

An accommodating box includes a bracket, a pair of shells, and at least a suction cup. The bracket includes a bottom plate and a pair of side plates extending from opposite sides of the bottom plate. The pair of shells is pivotably attached to the pair of side plates respectively. The suction cup is attached to the bottom plate and capable of adhering to a smooth surface. The pair of shells is capable rotating between an open position where an article can be placed in or taken out from the pair of shells and a closed position to protect the article.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to accommodating boxes, and more particularly to an accommodating box which can adhere to a smooth nonporous surface.

2. Description of Related Art

There are usually plural of mini type articles (such as mini type electronic devices, mini type toys, toothbrushes, etc.) placed on desks in our offices or homes. However, the articles are easily broken or contaminated due to lack of protection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded view of an accommodating box according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a view of a first shell in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an assembled view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3, but showing the accommodating box within an open state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation. In the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of an accommodating box includes a bracket 10, a first shell 20, a second shell 30, and a pair of suction cups 40.

The bracket 10 includes a base 14 and a head portion 12 disposed at a front portion of the base 14. The base 14 includes a bottom plate 141 and a pair of side plates 143 extending from opposite sides of the bottom plate 141. A flange 1431 is extended from a top edge of each of the side plates 143. A pair of mounting grooves 1411 is respectively defined in front and rear ends of the bottom plate 141. Each of the suction cups 40 includes a mounting post 42 capable of being engaged in the mounting groove 1411 of the bracket 10.

Referring also to FIG. 2, the first shell 20 includes an arc-shaped surface 22, a base panel 24, and a first operation piece 26 attached to an exterior surface of the arc-shaped surface 22. The base panel 24 includes a sealed edge connected to the arc-shaped surface 22 and an unsealed edge located at an opening of the first shell 20. A rectangular protrusion portion 241 is protruded from a bottom surface of the base panel 24. A pair of hooks 245 protrudes from the protrusion portion 241 adjacent to the open edge of the base panel 24. A groove 243 is defined in one side of protrusion portion 241 for engaging with the flange 1431 of the bracket 10. A first gap 221 is defined in a rear portion of the arc-shaped surface 22.

The second shell 30 is similar to the first shell 20 and includes an arc-shaped surface 32, a base panel 34, and a second operation piece 36 attached to an exterior surface of the arc-shaped surface 32. A rectangular protrusion portion 341 is protruded from a bottom surface of the base panel 34. Three hooks 343 protrude from the protrusion portion 341 adjacent to the open edge of the base panel 34. A separation 345 is defined between each two adjacent hooks 343. A groove (not shown) similar to the groove 243 of the first shell 20 is defined in one side of protrusion portion 341 for engaging with one of the flanges 1431 of the bracket 10. A second gap 321 is defined in a rear portion of the arc-shaped surface 32.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in assembly, one of the flanges 1431 of the bracket 10 is engaged in the groove 243 of the first shell 20, and the other flange 1431 of the bracket 10 is engaged in the groove of the second shell 30. Then the first shell 20 and the second shell 30 are pivotably attached to the bracket 10 and capable of rotating about the edges of the flanges 1431. The mounting posts 42 of the suction cups 40 are respectively engaged in the mounting groove 1411 of the bracket 10. Then the accommodating box can adhere to a smooth nonporous surface such as a mirror, bathroom tile or wall.

In one embodiment, a length of the flange 1431 of the bracket 10 is substantially equal to that of the groove 243 of the first shell 20. Then the first shell 20 and the second shell 30 can not move along a lengthways direction. A thickness of the flange 1431 is less than a width of the groove 243 of the first shell 20 and the groove (not shown) of the second shell 30, thereby giving space for allowing rotating movement of the first shell 20 and the second shell 30. The first shell 20 and the second shell 30 can also be pivotably attached to the bracket 10 using other pivotable structures.

When the first shell 20 and the second shell 30 are rotated to a close position, the accommodating box, in one embodiment, resembles a bee. The first gap 221 of the first shell 20 and the second gap 321 of the second shell 30 jointly form an opening 50 that allows a handle of a toothbrush to extend therefrom. The hooks 245 of the first shell 20 are received in the separations 345 of the second shell 30.

In use, the suction cups 40 of the accommodating box are adhered to a smooth surface. The first operation piece 26 and the second operation piece 36 are pressed, and the first shell 20 and the second shell 30 are urged to rotate to an open position. Then a head of a toothbrush can be received in the accommodating box, and a handle of the toothbrush can extend out from the opening 50 at the rear end of the accommodating box. To close the first shell 20 and the second shell 30, the toothbrush can press the base panel 24 of the first shell 20 and the base panel 34 of the second shell 30. Then the first shell 20 and the second shell 30 can be urged to rotate to the closed position to protect the toothbrush. The accommodating box can also accommodate and protect other articles.

In one embodiment, when the first shell 20 and the second shell 30 are rotated to the open position, the hooks 245 of the first shell 20 abut the base panel 34 of the second shell 30, and the hooks 343 of the second shell 30 abut the base panel 24 of the first shell 20. Thus, the first shell 20 and the second shell 30 can remain in the open position if there is not any other force applied thereto.

While the present disclosure has been illustrated by the description of preferred embodiments thereof, and while the preferred embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such details. Additional advantages and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described. 

1. An apparatus comprising: a bracket comprising a bottom plate and a pair of side plates extending from opposite sides of the bottom plate; a pair of shells pivotably attached to the pair of side plates respectively; and at least a suction cup, attached to the bottom plate, capable of adhering to a smooth nonporous surface; wherein the pair of shells is capable rotating between an open position where an article can be placed in or taken out from the pair of shells and a closed position to protect the article.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a pair of flanges is respectively extended from upper edges of the pair of side plates, a pair of grooves is defined at bottom portions of the pair of shells, and the pair of flanges is engaged in the pair of grooves respectively.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a length of each of the pair of flanges is substantially equal to that of each of the pair of grooves.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein a thickness of each of the pair of flanges is less than a width of each of the pair of grooves.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein each of the pair of shells includes a base panel, an arc-shaped surface connected to the base panel, and an operation piece attached to an exterior surface of the arc-shaped surface.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein a rectangular protrusion portion is located at a lower side of each base panel, at least one hook protrudes from a first side of each rectangular protrusion portion, and one of the pair of grooves is defined in a second side of each rectangular protrusion portion.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a gap is defined in a rear portion of each arc-shaped surface.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bracket further comprises a head portion.
 9. An apparatus comprising: a bracket comprising a bottom plate, a first side plate, and a second side plate, the first side plate and the second side plate extend from opposite sides of the bottom plate; a first shell pivotably connected to the first side plate; a second shell pivotably connected to the second side plate; at least a suction cup, attached to the bottom plate, capable of adhering to a smooth surface; wherein the first shell and the second shell are capable rotating along opposite directions between an open position, where an article can be placed in or taken out from the first shell and the second shell, and a closed position to protect the article.
 10. The accommodating box of claim 9, wherein a flange extends from an upper edge of each of the first side plate and the second side plate, a groove is defined at a bottom portion of each of the first shell and the second shell, and the flange is engaged in the groove.
 11. The accommodating box of claim 10, wherein a length of the flange is substantially equal to that of the groove.
 12. The accommodating box of claim 11, wherein a thickness of the flange is less than a width of the groove.
 13. The accommodating box of claim 12, wherein each of the first shell and the second shell includes a base panel, an arc-shaped surface connecting to the base panel, and a wing-shaped operation piece attached to an exterior surface of the arc-shaped surface.
 14. The accommodating box of claim 13, wherein a rectangular protrusion portion is located at a lower side of the base panel, at least a hook is protruded from a first side of the rectangular protrusion portion, and the groove is defined at a second side of the rectangular protrusion portion.
 15. The accommodating box of claim 14, wherein a gap is defined in a rear portion of each of the first shell and the second shell.
 16. The accommodating box of claim 9, wherein the bracket further comprises a head portion.
 17. The accommodating box of claim 9, wherein the first shell comprises a first hook extending downwardly therefrom, the second shell comprises a second hook extending downwardly therefrom, and the first hook abuts the second shell and the second hook abuts the first shell in the open position. 